Human Rights Violations Cited by State Department, 2005
The Center used the following definitions to capture human rights violations noted in the U.S. Department of State’s 2005 reports.

Ethnic/Minority Oppression includes violence and discrimination against indigenous persons; violence and discrimination against homosexuals; and abuses by government and law enforcement officials against minorities and certain ethnicities.

Oppression of Women includes widespread domestic violence; societal discrimination against women; sexual abuse against women; female genital mutilation (FGM); tactics of war used against women such as rape; and discrimination against women in the workplace.

Threats to Civil Liberties include restrictions on freedom of movement, speech, press and assembly; infringements on citizens’ privacy; suppression of political parties; and harassment of opposition and human rights groups.

Child Exploitation includes child labor; child trafficking; sexual abuse against children; poor protection of children’s rights; and the use of child soldiers in conflict.

Religious Persecution includes restrictions on freedom of religion, and violence against religious minorities.

Judicial/Prison Abuses include violations of due process and fair trials; police abuse; torture and prison violence; harsh prison conditions; and arbitrary arrest or detention.